Bus-driver imposter gets probation

By
Erica Johnston

A 19-year-old D.C. man who took a Metrobus from a Metro garage last summer and drove passengers through the city, was placed Monday on 18 months probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

William Jackson had pleaded guilty in September to a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle in connection with the July 9 incident, in which he wore a Metrobus driver’s uniform when he took the bus from the Bladensburg garage, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

The ride, in which he picked up and dropped off passengers, ended when the bus collided with a tree. In addition to community service, probation is to include counseling, the prosecutor’s office said.

Unbelievable! This guy IMPERSONATED a Metro employee, STOLE a transit bus, and proceeded to OPERATE it (with no authorization or training) and then CRASHED the bus. That placed transit riders, other motorists and pedestrians at risk. And all he gets is a slap on the wrist?

Who on earth suggested such lenient treatment? Why did the court approve it? Did Metro object vigorously (as it should have)? Or did the transit agency simply roll over without a whimper?

Of course, Metro rarely seeks to enforce standards of conduct for its own drivers. So I guess it's not surprising that the agency would be indifferent about seeking penalties for an unauthorized driver.